Western ND News

Dickinson State University (DSU) held the annual Southwest Regional Science Olympiad on March 27, 2025. The event brought together 217 students from nine schools, forming 19 teams in total, including contestants from both middle and high schools.

The event was organized by DSU's science faculty. Dr. Liz Freedman-Fowler, dean of the School of Applied Sciences, expressed enthusiasm for the Olympiad, stating, “We’re always excited to host the Science Olympiad. I participated in events like this in high school, and they helped me maintain my love of science. They also prepared me for college and a career in science.”

This edition of the competition introduced new events aimed at showcasing participants' scientific knowledge and skills. The Science Olympiad, as described, is an international nonprofit entity focusing on enriching science education, stimulating student interest in the field, and recognizing excellence in science education.

Samantha Harris, a freshman majoring in chemical engineering, shared her thoughts on the impact of the Science Olympiad on her academic journey, saying, "Science Olympiad sparked my intense love for chemistry, but also for real-world applications... Because of this, I decided to major in chemical engineering with an emphasis on biology. Over the years, I also discovered an interest in physics, and I’m now considering adding nanoscience as a minor."

Harris, who had participated in DSU's Science Olympiad during high school, is pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree at DSU, inspired by her experiences. She is one of the 96 volunteers contributing to the event’s success.

For more details about the Southwest Regional Science Olympiad Competitions, interested parties can visit DSU's official website. Photos documenting the event are available on Flickr.

Division B winners were from various schools, with Hope Christian Academy securing the top spot across multiple events. In Division C, winners also included schools like Dickinson High School and Beulah Public School. The top five teams from each division will advance to the State Science Olympiad scheduled for April 26 at North Dakota State University (NDSU).